Distinguished member

I had a few stretching exercises I was doing and can no longer do since I cannot sit in a chair any longer, or do the standing exercises for fear of falling. What do I now? Would a therapist help? ROM exercises?

Moderator

You could do some lying in a wheelchair (reclined) or bed or on the floor (if you have a way of getting up), or even in a recliner chair. It would be best if you had the PT show you. Ultimately, your wife or other caregivers will have to do passive ROM exercises with you lying down.

If you can stand balanced against a wall or counter, there might still be some standing exercises you can do. If you are seated in a wheelchair, slightly reclined, you may be able to do some of the seated exercises that way.

Distinguished member

You can ask the PT and OT at your ALS clinic to give you some ROM exercises and of course - if they don't already know - update them that it's become hard to stand or sit and do the stretching exercises you have been doing. They will tell you some good ones you can do in a PWC or hospital bed. I hope you have an appointment coming up soon to discuss this otherwise just give them a call. Mine have given me printout's with diagrams and explanations as well as talked to me about each one. The doctor might also want to put in an order for a few at-home PT visits. Its good you are thinking about this!